Zero-Year Cards, Part 11

1993 Donruss #773 Brad Ausmus (Yankees)

Brad Ausmus was a 48th round pick by the Yankees in 1987. A 48th round pick.

Although he wasn't a great hitter (.251 career average and a .325 career OBP), Ausmus made up for it with his defense. He won three Gold Gloves in his 18-year career and finished in the top five in caught stealing eight different times, leading the league in '95.

This is one of the more interesting zero-year cards in my collection. Not only is Ausmus pictured with the Yankees, a team he never played for, but the card also states that he was selected by the Rockies in the expansion draft. He'd never play for the Rockies either. He'd be traded to San Diego in July of '93, where he'd make his debut, appearing in 49 games for the Padres in 1993. 

From there, he'd go on to play for the Tigers and Astros before closing out his career in 2010 with the Dodgers.

I've often heard his name brought up when future big-league managers are discussed. It makes sense. Great defensive catchers often seem to make great managers (see: Mike Scioscia). So why not Brad Ausmus?